How many people in (a) South Ayrshire and (b) East Ayrshire who have been found guilty of child abuse since 2010 were not given a prison se…

Child abuse is a broad term that doesn't have a specific legal definition. For context the World Health Organisation has defined 'Child maltreatment' as ‘the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power'. ( Child maltreatment (who.int) )
In general the Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on those convicted of crimes against children, as the Official Statistics on criminal proceedings do not include details on the age of the victim. This would include cases of non-sexual violence such as assault, and some sexual crimes such as rape and attempted rape. We can however provide this information for those crime types where it is clear from the legislation used that the victim was either a child or the intention of the perpetrator was to target a child.
We have received a clarification from the member who indicated they were interested in the Sexual assault of older child (13-15); Sexual assault of young child (under 13) and Sexual Abuse of trust of person under 18 crimes only. This is presented in the table below, showing convictions that did not result in a prison sentence for the years 2010-11 to 2019-20. The 2020-21 criminal proceedings Official Statistics will be published on 21 June.
People convicted for the Sexual assault of older child (13-15); Sexual assault of young child (under 13) and Sexual Abuse of trust (where main crime), excluding custodial sentences, 2010-11 to 2019-20 .
East Ayrshire
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
Sexual assault of young child (under 13)
-
-
3
-
2
3
-
2
1
1
Sexual assault of older child (13-15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sexual Abuse of trust of person under 18
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
1
-
-

South Ayrshire
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
Sexual assault of young child (under 13)
-
1
1
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
Sexual assault of older child (13-15)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sexual Abuse of trust of person under 18
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database
1
- includes Having intercourse with older child, Sexual abuse of trust (children), Voyeurism towards a young child; Causing an older child to look at sexual image;
2
- includes Tattooing of minors, Drunk in public place while in charge of a child under 10;
Please note: Some of the crimes and offences committed against children might be prosecuted under more generic offences.